Garage essentials for a basic motorcycle toolkit

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Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa

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Alpinestars Hurricane waterproof oversuit review

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Alpinestars Hurricane Waterproof Oversuit Review

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Bargain Hunter: This week’s hot deals on motorbike kit and tools

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RST Pro Series Commander Jacket Review

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Oxford Original Approved AA MS Shirt Review

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SHARK Spartan RS Carbon Helmet Review

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SW Motech Legend Gear Tailbag LR2 Review

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How to go touring on your motorcycle

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Off-road motorcycle tyres for your next adventure

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DJI Osmo Action review: a serious rival to GoPro

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These two-piece [motorcycle waterproofs](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/best-waterproof-suits/) are designed to be worn over road riding kit. A [one-piece version of the Hurricane](https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/mcn/content_prod/304063/#/500,2113,840) is also available.

## Is the Alpinestars Hurricane comfortable? {#h-is-the-alpinestars-hurricane-comfortable}

I’ve tried my fair share of waterproofs over the last 37 years of riding. Back in the day they many weren’t much better than bin bags that would flap in the first breath of wind and rip in the next, but fortunately they’ve evolved.

The Alpinestars Hurricane top and bottoms fit nice and snugly, without being too tight or restrictive. Mine are large, which fit nicely over medium-size riding kit. Once they’re on the Velcro straps, fasteners and elasticated cuffs, neck and waist keep you sealed in away the elements.

I wear them just as much to keep the wind out when it’s cold to using them in full blast rain. I sometimes wear the top under a riding jacket as an extra wind-cheating layer during cold road test photoshoots. Having such long legs, most waterproofs I’ve tried ride-up at the bottom too much, inviting the rain to slosh around into my boots, but these are long enough to keep trench foot at bay. The neck is also a decent height, which keeps out the wind.

## Is the Alpinestars Hurricane practical?

Being so thin, they’re light and easy to wear and they have their own storage bags, making them simple to carry in a [rucksack](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/accessories/luggage/best-motorcycle-rucksacks/), or secret away in a kit bag. I went for the two-piece versions, just because they’re more practical.

A one-piece oversuit has its obvious advantages in the bad weather, but a two-piece is better for when nature calls and lets you just use the jacket on its own. Hems unzip wide enough to slide over [bike boots](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/best-motorcycle-boots/), which is a godsend when you’re caught in a downpour at the side of the road.

## Does the Alpinestars Hurricane look good?

They come in plain black or lumo yellow. Both have reflective sections for maximum visibility and are nicely fitted and not too frumpy looking.

## Is the Alpinestars Hurricane good quality?

I’ve been wearing them for well over ten years for road testing, commuting and riding holidays. They look lived-in and don’t smell the sweetest impregnated with the fug of a million cars, vans, lorries and buses, but there are no rips or tears and the seams, zips and Velcro fasteners are still in perfect condition.

## Does the Alpinestars Hurricane offer good protection?

They don’t offer any form of crash protection, but they shield you from the elements perfectly and take the sting out of a winter day. They don’t let in a drop of water, even in torrential rain.

## Is the Alpinestars Hurricane good value?

You can buy a lot cheaper, but they’re a great investment. Not only to they work as they should, they’ve stood the test of time over a decade of use and are still going strong.

An Oxford Rainseal All-Weather Over Jacket costs £34.99 and it's £24.99 for the trousers. Tucano Urbano's Set Diluvio Pro waterproofs will set you back £76.99 for both parts or the Richa Rain Warrior Jacket costs £45.99 and £26.99 for the trousers.

Alpinesars’ Hurricane Jacket and Trousers may not be the cheapest waterproofs you can buy, but they’re lightweight, practical, comfortable and keep the elements at bay. They’re still going strong despite a decade of constant use, which goes a long way to justify the price.

There's no shortage of cheap motorbike kit to be found on the internet - but it can be more difficult to know who and what to trust. Every week in MCN's Bargain Hunter we bring you the best deals we can find online from reputable retailers selling trustworthy kit that won't let you down or break the bank.

With summer just around the corner we’ve been digging around for deals and offers that’ll not only suit the season, but also lighten your wallet by less than £100 a pop.

## Last week's bargains: {#h-last-week-s-bargains}

A textile jacket can provide a do it all solution for tackling the gloriously changeable climate we’re blessed with in the UK. Take the Wolf Fortitude for example, which has fitted, sports touring style looks and a philosophy that’s all about comfort.

The RST Pro Series Commander is the firm’s flagship [textile motorcycle jacket](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/best-textile-motorcycle-jacket/). It’s a completely [waterproof laminate jacket](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/laminated-textile-motorcycle-jackets/) thanks to its SinAqua Pro technology – meaning you don’t have to mess around with waterproof linings – and is packed with vents for when the weather is good, too.

The Commander is a [jacket built for touring](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/motorcycle-touring-jackets/) and so it’s crammed with practical touches like its five inner and five outer pockets, soft touch collar and removable thermal liner – plus a AA [CE rating](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/ce-ratings-explained/) and CE level 2 armour for your back, shoulders and elbows.

For riding large distances through all weathers or simply commuting through the winter, the Commander is a solid option and, at £300, it won’t break the bank either.

## **Is the RST Pro Series Commander jacket** comfortable?

In its full winter mode with the thermal lining fitted the jacket feels a bit heavy and bulky and - while that’s sort of par for the course for this kind of garment – 3.3kg does seem a little excessive.

The thermal lining is really thick (the thickest I’ve had in a jacket so far) and  it’s smooth and cosy, too. I had no issues with staying warm wearing just a T-shirt underneath at close to freezing temperatures.

Once you take the liner out, the armour feels a little abrasive against your elbows. A baselayer solves the issue but it’s not so bad that you can’t put up with it.

Conversely, where the collar and cuffs come into contact with your skin they are incredibly soft and comfortable thanks to soft touch fabric in the ideal spots.

There’s plenty of adjustment on the waist and arms so you can get the Commander to fit like a glove, which also helps to prevent too much flapping about at speed on the road.

The venting is very impressive when the weather is hot with two large inlet slits on the chest and two exhaust ones on the rear to keep the cool air flowing. It's not as good as a [mesh jacket](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/mesh-motorcycle-jackets/) but far more practical.

## Is the **RST Pro Series Commander jacket** practical?

All the zips, pockets, adjusters and press studs are chunky and strong-feeling and really easy to use. There are magnets on each side of the chest to hold the vent flap open and a hook to hold the collar when it’s hot – it’s all really well thought-out.

There are pockets seemingly everywhere and it can be a job to keep track of where you’ve stashed things until you’ve come up with a system.

I much prefer laminated textiles to modular systems with a separate waterproof layer as it takes the guess work out of getting dressed. Knowing you can just stick it on and head out, ready for whatever the day throws at you is far more attractive to me than consulting five different weather apps every day before I leave the house.

## Does the RST Pro Series Commander jacket look good?

The Commander has a certain ‘unmarked police biker’ look to it but I quite like it. The black is unassuming and subtle with just a strip of reflective detailing straight across the front for safety.

As far as touring/winter textiles go, I’d much rather go for something like this than the kind of beige adventure touring suit you often see – especially when I’m riding a road bike in winter, not a GS through the desert.

## Is the RST Pro Series Commander jacket good quality?

I’ve worn this jacket through several serious deluges and stayed bone dry (although the same can’t be said for the [matching RST Pro Series Commander trousers](https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/mcn/content_prod/552778/#/500,2113,840), which leaked through the crotch). The waterproofing is excellent, and so is the general build quality.

All the seams and zips feel very solid and like they will stand up to many seasons of use. The 3.3kg weight, although seemingly excessive, does lend a certain reassuring heft to the Commander that makes it feel very sturdy, too.

## Does the RST Pro Series Commander jacket offer good protection?

You get CE Level 2 armour at the elbows, shoulders and back and the garment overall is rated AA for use on the road – as is all of RST’s textile range for 2023 (excluding mesh).

Some textile gear I’ve tested has felt a bit flimsy, but I’d have no reservations sliding down the road in this.

## Is the RST Pro Series Commander jacket good value?

The price is pretty much the best bit: £299 for a reliable, laminated, AA-rated textile jacket is a bit of a bargain.

An [Oxford Hinterland](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/oxford-hinterland-suit-review/) will set you back £329.99, a Klim Latitude has a hefty RRP of £750 and a Rukka Kingsley costs £1549.99. Suddenly, the RST seems very well-spec’d indeed for the price!

Textiles aren’t really my cup of tea but they are also an inevitable part of riding in the UK’s climate. If you commute year round or even plan a leisure trip outside of the hottest two weeks in August, waterproof textiles can be a life-saver.

I like the stealthy look of the RSTs and they are also comfy, warm and keep you dry in the rain. What’s more, the venting is excellent once the temperature does rise.

All of the practicality and reliability of the RST coupled with the low price mean I would consider the Commander for winter commuting.

The SW-Motech Legend Gear line was specifically designed to complement retro-style motorcycles and sits alongside a [range of luggage options](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/accessories/luggage/universal-motorcycle-panniers/) such as tank bags, backpacks, saddlebags and more, so you can get the whole look before you take on a tour.

A benefit of such a large range is that you’re bound to find the perfect bag your bike, and even then the bag itself can be tailored according to bike model. I tested this with a Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail while touring America, a bike for which the bag was tailored for, but I also used it on an [Aprilia Tuareg](https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/aprilia/tuareg-660/2022/) back in the UK.

## Is the SW-Motech Legend Gear tailbag easy to use? {#h-is-the-sw-motech-legend-gear-tailbag-easy-to-use}

[Soft luggage](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/accessories/luggage/motorcycle-luggage-accessories/) is one of those things that can make your long ride worth it if it works well at the end of your time in the saddle, and this SW-Motech bag is a great example of such. If you don’t mind leaving the straps on the bike, then it’s just a case of pushing the buckles to release the bag from the bike and you’re away with its easy-to-use grab handles.

The bag is covered with small latching points which can hold other bags in the Legend Gear series (of which the backpack attaches beautifully) but is also ideal for a couple of bungee cords which I use to tuck extra layers under as the ride gets warmer.

The only niggle I had was with the waterproof cover. The bag itself is dubbed as splashproof and comes with a waterproof cover. While on the road with the bag as a new addition, I pulled over to put on the cover only to discover it is designed to sit inside the bag – so you need to ensure you pack inside the cover if you think you’re going to get caught out in the rain. But saying that, the splashproof was more than effective in a light shower, so you needn’t worry too much.

## Is the SW-Motech Legend Gear tailbag good quality?

Like with other SW-Motech kit I’ve tested, I found this tailbag to be high quality and extremely durable. Despite the bag being labelled as splashproof rather than waterproof, it holds up well in light rain showers and the little additions such as the bit of elastic to keep the straps tidy and chunky zips make a world of difference.

The bag was hoisted on and off my bike almost every day for three weeks, but showed no strain, even when packed to the brim. While talking about packing, the shape stayed put even when stuffing far too much in, and was hard to distort while packing.

## Does the SW Motech Legend Gear tailbag look good?

Marketed towards owners of retro bikes, I think the Legend Gear range will appeal to those who fancy something a little less mainstream-looking to pop on their two wheels for a weekend away. I think the design is understated, but is effective as well as practical.

And somehow even with its 48-litre capacity, it doesn’t have the imposing and bulky appearance of some others chunky tailbags I’ve seen. It sits cleverly over the rear seat and settles in with the line of the bike that bit more, and the design tone for a retro bike is spot on. I can see why the extra fastenings might put some off who prefer more of a streamlined or modern look, but when you weigh it up with the practicality of the tailbag, I think it can be forgiven.

## ****Is the SW Motech Legend Gear tailbag good value?****

Not sure if I’m the only one, but I have luggage systems in the cupboard under my stairs that have been sitting there for years, some for better, some for worse. But I fully expect to see this tailbag emerge from under there for at least the next decade and not have a mark on it.

I agree, the price tag of £257.95 initially provokes a sharp intake of breath, but if you’re looking for luggage that’ll last, then it’s well worth the outlay, especially as you get the waterproof liner bag, 4 loop straps, licence plate straps, protective foil, and mounting instructions with the bag itself.

The SW Motech Legend Gear Tailbag is a practical, spacious, and high-quality bit of kit that is ideal for almost any luggage need on your bike. Tailored to certain models (and an option for a generic size if your bike isn’t listed) it takes the small things into account that really matter when you’re using it all day every day.

Compared to others on the market, it can be a little pricey, but I think it’ll be a hard-working bike-kit staple for years, so it may just be worth the investment for daily rides, as well as those longer trips.

[Motorcycle riding jeans](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/best-motorcycle-jeans/) have come a long way over the years and this pair from Roadskin genuinely boggle the mind with their combination of comfort, lightweight fabric and protection.

To say that these single layer jeans from British firm Roadskin look and feel ‘just like jeans’ may seem like stating the obvious but it’s the highest praise I can think to give. Apart from the [CE level 2](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/ce-ratings-explained/) armour, there’s nothing to give these away as anything other than a comfy pair of denim trousers – and yet, they achieve the highest CE rating of AAA.

And that’s not just the rating for the fabric, either, it’s for the jeans as a whole. Given that a triple A rating was largely reserved for [leather garments](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/best-leather-motorcycling-jackets/) until quite recently, this is incredibly impressive.

## Are the Roadskin Taranis Elite AAA jeans comfortable? {#h-are-the-roadskin-taranis-elite-aaa-jeans-comfortable}

The fit is slim enough to look cool without being overly restrictive and they’ve got a Lycra component in the fabric that means you can move freely on the bike anyway. They’re really incredibly comfortable and I could easily sit and work in them all day after wearing them to commute.

The fabric is thin enough to keep you cool on warmer days (and has a subtle mesh lining to help with this) and I wore them into autumn with a [pair of baselayers](https://products.motorcyclenews.com/clothing/clothing/best-motorcycle-thermals-and-base-layers/) underneath and felt plenty warm enough, too.

## Are the Roadskin Taranis Elite AAA jeans practical?

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